Fashion Designers Salary in San Diego, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Median annual salary $82,010 +1.6% vs national
Median hourly $39.43
10th percentile $49,340
90th percentile $130,670
Employed locally 320
National median $80,690

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Fashion Designers
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San Diego, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $49,340
    25th
    $72,190
    50th (median)
    $82,010
    75th
    $105,210
    90th
    $130,670

    San Diego economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,285 2023 • Census ACS
    Fashion Designers salary vs area income 80% Median Fashion Designers salary is 20% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Fashion Designers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Tennessee $142,500
    Oregon $125,310
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $102,370
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $100,230
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $100,170
    Massachusetts $99,340

    Nearby metros — Fashion Designers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $102,370
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $100,230
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $100,170
    Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $96,760
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $75,000
    North Carolina $74,830

    Related occupations in San Diego, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Coaches and Scouts $45,490
    Public Relations Specialists $77,290
    Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers $40,290
    Producers and Directors $88,090
    Art Directors $112,400
    Editors $76,160

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Fashion Designers make per hour in San Diego?

    The median hourly wage for Fashion Designers in San Diego, CA is $39.43, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $62.82 or more per hour.

    Is San Diego above or below average for Fashion Designers salaries?

    The median Fashion Designers salary in San Diego, CA is 1.6% above the national median of $80,690. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Fashion Designers in San Diego?

    Entry-level Fashion Designers (10th percentile) earn around $49,340 per year in San Diego, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $72,190.